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Jul 15 2021
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 Guides 8
 Routes 70
 Photos 3,208
 Triplogs 273

59 male
 Joined Oct 07 2017
 Chandler, AZ
MMRP Competitive Track - Technical LoopPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Mtn Biking avatar Jul 15 2021
YoderTriplogs 273
Mtn Biking14.70 Miles 1,475 AEG
Mtn Biking14.70 Miles   4 Hrs   30 Mns   3.39 mph
1,475 ft AEG      10 Mns Break5 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Partners none no partners
Since the Competitive tracks are not recommended for hiking, I figured I would hike them as a night hike so that I wouldn't have to worry about getting run over by a bike.

Started at 9:30pm and finished up at 2:00am

Initially I thought I would just do the Long Loop (7 miles) and maybe one of the other loops if feeling good (both others are about 3 miles). I did the Long loop, then decided to to the Sports loop, then after that figured, Only three more miles, and I can finish up the Technical loop and be done with all of them, so I did.

All tracks were quite reasonable. I did run into a rattlesnake on the Technical track, it was wound up and right in the middle of the trail. It kind of looked like a round, flat rock as first glance. I was about 5 foot away, and did a second take on it, and sure enough it was a snake. It didn't seem to be bothered by me, so I walked around it. Always need to be on the lookout for these guys!
_____________________
J. Yoder
 
Apr 02 2020
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 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,010
 Triplogs 2,387

55 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
MMRP Competitive Track - Technical LoopPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Apr 02 2020
mt98dewTriplogs 2,387
Run/Jog2.72 Miles
Run/Jog2.72 Miles
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Short morning jog, knocking off one more trail on my "get er done" list. Took it easy on this run....didn't even time myself. Made notes for this trail for a potential write up. Primarily a trail for bikers, though runners are tolerated and hikers frowned upon. There was about 15 bikers in the area, but only saw 1 on the trail. Early morning weather was nice (low 60's). Skies were "clear", though there was an obvious brown haze as I made my way to the east side. Wildlife minimal....3 rabbits.
_____________________
 
Jan 04 2019
avatar

 Guides 3
 Routes 25
 Photos 2,216
 Triplogs 237

63 male
 Joined Apr 22 2012
 Fountain Hills,
Wash Day - MMRP, AZ 
Wash Day - MMRP, AZ
 
 Hiking avatar Jan 04 2019
KBKBTriplogs 237
 Hiking9.51 Miles 676 AEG
 Hiking9.51 Miles   3 Hrs   40 Mns   2.59 mph
676 ft AEG22 LBS Pack
 no routes
I led a group of six through some of the washes at McDowell Mountain Regional Park.

The day started out cold - most of us wore gloves at the start of our hike.

We saw three owls several times as we made our way through one of the more canyon-like washes.
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Nov 07 2018
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 Guides 3
 Routes 25
 Photos 2,216
 Triplogs 237

63 male
 Joined Apr 22 2012
 Fountain Hills,
Tech-Stoneman-Pemberton-Scenic - MMRP, AZ 
Tech-Stoneman-Pemberton-Scenic - MMRP, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Nov 07 2018
KBKBTriplogs 237
Hiking7.38 Miles 436 AEG
Hiking7.38 Miles   2 Hrs   41 Mns   2.84 mph
436 ft AEG      5 Mns Break22 LBS Pack
 no routes
Another evening loop at MMRP: Technical Loop to service road, then service road to Stoneman/Pemberton Wash; south in wash, then west in feeder wash to Pemberton; finished via Pemberton, Scenic, Cinch, and Escondido.

I saw one rider on Pemberton and then, after sunset, a bunch of riders, about nine or so, all women, on Scenic.

The trails I hiked were in good condition, though some of the "shelf" that I used to ride (and hike) on the NW side of the trail through Stoneman Wash near the intersection w/ Granite is eroding away. Not a big deal because you can use the softer sand right next to it. It was easier to ride on that much firmer shelf though.
_____________________
 
Oct 24 2018
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 Guides 3
 Routes 25
 Photos 2,216
 Triplogs 237

63 male
 Joined Apr 22 2012
 Fountain Hills,
Tech-Stoneman-Pemberton-Scenic-Cinch - MMRP, AZ 
Tech-Stoneman-Pemberton-Scenic-Cinch - MMRP, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Oct 24 2018
KBKBTriplogs 237
Hiking7.60 Miles 433 AEG
Hiking7.60 Miles   2 Hrs   39 Mns   2.96 mph
433 ft AEG      5 Mns Break24 LBS Pack
 no routes
Starting from the competitive track lot, I hiked the Technical Loop, followed a service road to Stoneman Wash and then hiked south in the wash until a feeder wash brought me back to the Pemberton Trail. At that point, I walked a short ways on the Pemberton to the large tent that had been erected as a water / aid station for the upcoming Javelina Jundred race. After taking a look, I turned back on Pemberton and hiked to the first intersection with Scenic. I returned via Scenic, Cinch, and Escondido.

Stoneman Wash appeared to be recently scoured from a storm, perhaps as recently as yesterday. The ground was damp in spots and despite my best efforts to avoid it, clay stuck to my shoes. Parts of the Pemberton Trail seemed damp as well.

I didn't see any other trail users until I got to the Scenic Trail. There I encountered a hiker / mountain biker I know along with her companion; both women were riding mountain bikes and told me of a rattlesnake a short ways ahead. I looked, but didn't see a snake. A short while later, I saw a group of six or seven trail runners / hikers. My guess is that these folks are either competitors or support crew for the upcoming race.

There were more tents at the Four Peaks Trailhead, which is home base for the Javelina Jundred this year. The bigger tents near the start of the Escondido and Shallmo Wash Trails were lit up with bright lights. I saw two people there, though it's possible that there were others in some of the tents that I couldn't see into. There were also row upon row of smaller unlit tents at the edge of the lot.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Sacred Datura
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  2 archives
Oct 12 2018
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 Guides 3
 Routes 25
 Photos 2,216
 Triplogs 237

63 male
 Joined Apr 22 2012
 Fountain Hills,
Wash Day - MMRP, AZ 
Wash Day - MMRP, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Oct 12 2018
KBKBTriplogs 237
Hiking11.83 Miles 892 AEG
Hiking11.83 Miles   4 Hrs   3 Mns   2.99 mph
892 ft AEG      6 Mns Break24 LBS Pack
 no routes
Mike and I hiked some washes for our Friday Morning Hike in MMRP...

Starting from the Four Peaks Trailhead, we crossed the road to the competitive track parking lot and then got on the Technical Loop. A service road took us to Stoneman/Pemberton Wash which we took southward. We headed west in one of Stoneman's larger feeder washes; we stayed in this wash as much as practical until we hit Pemberton. Pemberton and then Tonto Tank took us back to another of Stoneman's feeder washes. Stoneman took us back to the service road that we had hiked earlier in the day; but instead of backtracking on the service road, we took it east which led to the Sport Loop, which in turn returned us to the Comp Track parking lot.

We were rained on for part of our hike, but it was a light rain. It was just heavy enough that I didn't take any pictures during that segment.

We saw a few mountain bikers while we were out, but no one else.

While we were on the Pemberton, Mike spotted a chain fruit cholla which had some prickly pear paddles. We're not sure how this strange grafting came to be.
_____________________
 
Aug 24 2018
avatar

 Guides 3
 Routes 25
 Photos 2,216
 Triplogs 237

63 male
 Joined Apr 22 2012
 Fountain Hills,
Wash Day - MMRP, AZ 
Wash Day - MMRP, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Aug 24 2018
KBKBTriplogs 237
Hiking10.56 Miles 778 AEG
Hiking10.56 Miles   4 Hrs   3 Mns   2.72 mph
778 ft AEG      10 Mns Break24 LBS Pack
 no routes
Linda and I hiked about ten and a half miles for the Friday morning hike in MMRP.

Starting from the Horse Staging Area, we walked across the road to the competitive track area. We hiked the Technical Loop until it branched off to the Long Loop. We followed the Long Loop for a short ways and then turned into a narrow, but mostly brush-free wash. This wash fed into a very wide wash, the Stoneman/Pemberton Wash. We followed Stoneman west and then northwest, crossing the Long Loop. We continued in Stoneman for a while and then took a large feeder wash to the left. This wash crossed Pemberton - we stayed in the wash. We eventually exited the wash and noticed some canyon walls not far away. We found ourselves at the top of a small canyon which was fed by at least two drainages at the top. We looked at both of these drainages, but the way down was too steep to do without a rope; even with a rope, it's very loose. We found another nearby wash and started heading back, eventually reaching Pemberton.

We saw that the "pond" was nearby and went to look at it. It has water in it and is (slowly) being fed by a nearby
well/spring. It's not especially full, but the water level is higher than the last time I visited.

We made our way back to Stoneman/Pemberton Wash and took the service road back to the Sport Loop. We finished by going the "wrong way" on the Sport Loop.

We saw a bunch a quail and even an owl at one point.

The ground was soft from recent rain, but the trails were in surprisingly good shape. There was some erosion on the big hill (descent) after topping out on T-Bone ridge; it's fairly significant rut, perhaps six to eight inches deep in some spots. That said, I don't think it's be especially hard to avoid the rut when mountain biking.
_____________________
 
Aug 05 2018
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 Guides 3
 Routes 25
 Photos 2,216
 Triplogs 237

63 male
 Joined Apr 22 2012
 Fountain Hills,
Tech-Long-Stoneman Figure-8 - MMRP, AZ 
Tech-Long-Stoneman Figure-8 - MMRP, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Aug 05 2018
KBKBTriplogs 237
Hiking5.11 Miles 404 AEG
Hiking5.11 Miles   1 Hour   59 Mns   2.69 mph
404 ft AEG      5 Mns Break24 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
Partners none no partners
Another evening hike in McDowell Mountain Regional Park...

Starting from the Competitive Track Parking Lot, I hiked the Technical Loop, turned right onto the Long Loop, and then turned left (east) onto Stoneman/Pemberton Wash. (According to the park map and even one sign, it's called Pemberton Wash in this part of the park, but AFAICT it's the same wash as the one named Stoneman elsewhere in the park.) I eventually rejoined the Long Loop, got back onto the Technical Loop and finished on the Tech Loop. The entire route made a very strange looking figure-8.

I picked up a mylar balloon while hiking the Technical Loop. I saw an owl in the wash and a large rabbit elsewhere.

Mine was the only vehicle in the lot when I got there and when I returned. I didn't see anyone else while hiking. The temperature was around 107 when I started and about 102 when I finished. As usual for these conditions, I filled my water reservoir with ice prior to adding water and an electrolyte solution. I also had over half of another reservoir available from Friday's hike, but did not need it.
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Aug 01 2018
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 Guides 3
 Routes 25
 Photos 2,216
 Triplogs 237

63 male
 Joined Apr 22 2012
 Fountain Hills,
Tech-Stoneman-Pemberton-Scenic - MMRP, AZ 
Tech-Stoneman-Pemberton-Scenic - MMRP, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Aug 01 2018
KBKBTriplogs 237
Hiking8.40 Miles 512 AEG
Hiking8.40 Miles   2 Hrs   49 Mns   3.07 mph
512 ft AEG      5 Mns Break24 LBS Pack
 no routes
An evening loop hike in MMRP...

Starting from the Competitive Track Parking Area, I hiked part of the Tech Loop, then took a service road to Stoneman Wash. I headed south until I got to the Long Loop. Another service road brought me to the Pemberton Trail which I took NNW to Scenic. Cinch to me to Escondido which brought be back to the 4 Peaks TH / Horse Staging Area.

It was warm when I started, about 106, but had cooled down to 98 when my daughter picked me up at the end.

I saw an owl early on in Stoneman Wash and then numerous smaller birds a short while later. I heard coyotes after sunset while hiking the Scenic Trail.

Six riders from a women's mountain biking group passed me shortly after hearing the coyotes on Scenic. Aside from those riders, I saw no one else on my hike, nor any vehicles in the Competitive Track lot when I started.

I took a few pictures along the way - don't know yet if any are worth posting.
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Jul 17 2018
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 Guides 3
 Routes 25
 Photos 2,216
 Triplogs 237

63 male
 Joined Apr 22 2012
 Fountain Hills,
Tech-Stoneman-Pemberton-Scenic - MMRP, AZ 
Tech-Stoneman-Pemberton-Scenic - MMRP, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jul 17 2018
KBKBTriplogs 237
Hiking7.43 Miles 440 AEG
Hiking7.43 Miles   2 Hrs   31 Mns   3.01 mph
440 ft AEG      3 Mns Break24 LBS Pack
 no routes
Another evening loop hike in McDowell Mountain Regional Park:

Starting from Competitive Track Parking Lot... Tech Loop to the service road, then down to Stoneman Wash, south down the wash, then northwest up one of the feeder washes. Northeast on Pemberton, through the Trailhead Staging Area, then right on the first intersection with Scenic. Down Scenic, then back on Cinch and through the horse staging area. Looking at my route on the map, it's a nice big loop with a few zig-zags at the beginning.

I saw a bunch of mountain bikers getting ready on the way out and I saw some more on the driveway to the main park road as I was finishing, but I didn't see anyone out on the trail - or in the wash either. (Like that would happen.)

Heard coyotes though several times on my hike. I saw an owl in Stoneman Wash as I was approaching it (again) on Pemberton. Saw at least one bunny and a lizard too, the latter when it was quite dark; thought it was a mouse or pack rat at first.

It was warm out, around 102 when I started, but it wasn't as humid as it's been in recent days, so it felt pretty good. Hardest part was at the very beginning where I had to do the hill leading to T-Bone Ridge on the Tech Loop.

There was a pretty sunset. Maybe one of my photos will turn out...
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Jul 13 2018
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 Guides 3
 Routes 25
 Photos 2,216
 Triplogs 237

63 male
 Joined Apr 22 2012
 Fountain Hills,
Wash Day - MMRP, AZ 
Wash Day - MMRP, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jul 13 2018
KBKBTriplogs 237
Hiking10.59 Miles 702 AEG
Hiking10.59 Miles   3 Hrs   55 Mns   2.76 mph
702 ft AEG      5 Mns Break24 LBS Pack
 no routes
Another "wash day" for our Friday Hike in McDowell Mountain Regional Park...

Starting from the Four Peaks Trailhead (Horse Staging Area), we crossed the road, and then hiked the Technical Loop to the service road. The service road took us to Stoneman/Pemberton Wash where we went south for a while. One of Stoneman's feeder washes took us WNW for a number of miles. We eventually crossed Tonto Tank Trail and ended up in another wash which took us ESE, which eventually brought us back to the Tonto Tank Trail. We took Tonto Tank to Pemberton (which crossed Stoneman again) and then over to Shallmo Wash. For more washy goodness, we opted to hike in Shallmo Wash (proper) instead of on the trail of the same name. Shallmo Wash was especially loose and sandy; the other washes that we hiked earlier hadn't been churned up by horses and were relatively firm.

We picked up a number of balloons and other trash along the way.

We saw one rattlesnake, but it was somewhat camera shy.

We saw no other human trail users along the way, though for much of the hike we were in washes where it would be surprising to see anyone else.

I ran out of water in my 3 liter reservoir with about two miles to go. Thankfully, I still had a 40 oz bottle in my pack.
_____________________
 
Jun 22 2018
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 Guides 3
 Routes 25
 Photos 2,216
 Triplogs 237

63 male
 Joined Apr 22 2012
 Fountain Hills,
South Wash Loop - MMRP, AZ 
South Wash Loop - MMRP, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jun 22 2018
KBKBTriplogs 237
Hiking10.30 Miles 810 AEG
Hiking10.30 Miles   3 Hrs   40 Mns   2.94 mph
810 ft AEG      10 Mns Break24 LBS Pack
 no routes
Heather, Bob, and Mike joined me for a 10+ mile hike in MMRP which featured the South Wash.

Starting from the Four Peaks/Horse Staging Area, we went across the road to the competitive track lot and hiked part of the Technical Loop. We then used a service road to connect us with Stoneman/Pemberton Wash. A feeder wash took us to the Pemberton. We then made our way to the South Wash which we followed ESE, crossing the Long Loop once. We took the second intersection with the Long Loop north to return to the competitive track parking area. I learned the hard way that taking the first intersection results in a significantly longer hike back to the parking area.

We saw a barn owl while hiking South Wash. We also came across two mule deer sheds (antlers).

It was starting to get warm toward the end of our hike. With about half a mile to go, Bob said that he was feeling a bit dizzy. We stopped in what shade we could find so that he could eat a banana.

I brought two reservoirs (6L) today, but was having problems with the hose on one of them. It has some sort of leak that caused it to fill with air. When I sucked on it, I could - with enough sucking - get some water, but I mostly got gurgley air. I ended up using my back up reservoir for the hike. Thankfully, I didn't need more than 3L of water. (Though if I had, I could have either swapped hoses or transferred the water. The reservoir wasn't leaking.)
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Barn Owl
_____________________
 
Jun 06 2018
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 Guides 3
 Routes 25
 Photos 2,216
 Triplogs 237

63 male
 Joined Apr 22 2012
 Fountain Hills,
Stoneman-Pemberton-Sport Loop - MMRP, AZ 
Stoneman-Pemberton-Sport Loop - MMRP, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jun 06 2018
KBKBTriplogs 237
Hiking6.85 Miles 394 AEG
Hiking6.85 Miles   2 Hrs   6 Mns   3.31 mph
394 ft AEG      2 Mns Break20 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
Another evening loop hike in MMRP...

Despite starting from the Competitive Track area, I devised a loop to avoid cyclists by hiking a long stretch of Stoneman Wash. I also hiked part of the Pemberton where it's possible that I might have seen a mountain biker, but it's wider and easier to get out of the way. The last mile or so was on the Sport Loop though, but I kept watch behind me as I finished.

My mountain bike avoidance strategy must have worked because, despite there being a bunch of vehicles in the parking lot, I didn't see anyone out on the trails (or in the wash).
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May 15 2018
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 Guides 3
 Routes 25
 Photos 2,216
 Triplogs 237

63 male
 Joined Apr 22 2012
 Fountain Hills,
Tech-Stoneman-Long Loop - MMRP, AZ 
Tech-Stoneman-Long Loop - MMRP, AZ
 
Hiking avatar May 15 2018
KBKBTriplogs 237
Hiking5.15 Miles 410 AEG
Hiking5.15 Miles   1 Hour   44 Mns   3.03 mph
410 ft AEG      2 Mns Break24 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
Partners none no partners
My daughter came with me for an early evening hike at McDowell Mountain Regional Park.

Starting from the competitive track area, we hiked part of the Technical Loop, then took a service road over to Stoneman Wash, and returned via Stoneman/Pemberton Wash and the last mile or so of the Long Loop.

We saw two owls and a raven while hiking in the wash. Despite seeing a number of vehicles in the parking lot both when we got there and when we left, we saw no other riders or hikers.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
_____________________
 
May 14 2018
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 Guides 3
 Routes 25
 Photos 2,216
 Triplogs 237

63 male
 Joined Apr 22 2012
 Fountain Hills,
Cinch-Scenic-Pember-Stoneman-Tech Loop - MMRP, AZ 
Cinch-Scenic-Pember-Stoneman-Tech Loop - MMRP, AZ
 
Hiking avatar May 14 2018
KBKBTriplogs 237
Hiking6.35 Miles 335 AEG
Hiking6.35 Miles   2 Hrs   4 Mns   3.15 mph
335 ft AEG      3 Mns Break24 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Another evening loop hike in MMRP...

For this evening's hike, I did: Escondido, Cinch, Scenic (the short way), Pemberton, Stoneman/Pemberton Wash, and part of the Technical Loop (in the competitive track area).

It was a quiet hike. I saw two mountain bikers as I was descending the short hill into Stoneman Wash, but saw no one else.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
_____________________
 
Apr 20 2018
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 Guides 3
 Routes 25
 Photos 2,216
 Triplogs 237

63 male
 Joined Apr 22 2012
 Fountain Hills,
Wash Day - MMRP, AZ 
Wash Day - MMRP, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Apr 20 2018
KBKBTriplogs 237
Hiking11.32 Miles 846 AEG
Hiking11.32 Miles   3 Hrs   56 Mns   3.01 mph
846 ft AEG      10 Mns Break24 LBS Pack
 no routes
Another "wash day" at MMRP...

Starting from the Four Peaks / Horse Staging Area, we crossed the road and then hiked a mile or so of the Technical Loop. A service road brought us over to Stoneman / Pemberton Wash. From there, we hiked south until we came to a feeder wash with which I'm familiar. We followed this wash across Pemberton and continued west paralleling the southern part of Pemberton for quite a ways. We eventually crossed Tonto Tank and then found another wash to take us back down to Stoneman where paid a visit to the well rusted 1960 Chevy Impala. From there we continued on until we got to Pemberton. From there, we simply followed the Shallmo Wash Trail back to the parking lot. We might have made the day even "washier" by hiking in Shallmo Wash proper instead of on the Trail, but by that point we were appreciative of having a firm(er) surface under our feet.

We saw a deer in one of the feeder washes. We saw lots of rabbits too.

We also picked up three mylar balloons along the way. The washes we hiked don't get much human traffic - this litter had been there for a while.

We saw many ocotillo in bloom. Also, both the cholla and saguaro have buds; a few already have blossoms.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
_____________________
 
Apr 17 2018
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 Guides 3
 Routes 25
 Photos 2,216
 Triplogs 237

63 male
 Joined Apr 22 2012
 Fountain Hills,
Tech-Stoneman-Pemberton-Scenic-Cinch - MMRP, AZ 
Tech-Stoneman-Pemberton-Scenic-Cinch - MMRP, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Apr 17 2018
KBKBTriplogs 237
Hiking6.07 Miles 404 AEG
Hiking6.07 Miles   1 Hour   58 Mns   3.14 mph
404 ft AEG      2 Mns Break20 LBS Pack
 no routes
Another early evening loop in McDowell Mountain Regional Park...

This time I started in the Competitive Track lot, hiked some of the Technical Loop, then a service road to Stoneman/Pemberton Wash, followed by Pemberton, Scenic, Cinch, and Escondido.

I saw a pair of hikers on Granite approaching the intersection with Pemberton and later some cyclists around dusk on Scenic, but that was it. Pretty quiet.
_____________________
 
Mar 03 2018
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 Routes 10
 Photos 466
 Triplogs 680

male
 Joined Mar 10 2008
 Phoenix, AZ
MMRP Competitive Track - Technical LoopPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
 Mtn Biking avatar Mar 03 2018
ThoreauTriplogs 680
 Mtn Biking3.27 Miles
 Mtn Biking3.27 Miles      22 Mns   8.92 mph
 
no photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
Feb 24 2018
avatar

 Routes 10
 Photos 466
 Triplogs 680

male
 Joined Mar 10 2008
 Phoenix, AZ
MMRP Competitive Track - Technical LoopPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
 Mtn Biking avatar Feb 24 2018
ThoreauTriplogs 680
 Mtn Biking3.10 Miles
 Mtn Biking3.10 Miles      26 Mns   7.15 mph
 
no photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
Feb 23 2018
avatar

 Guides 3
 Routes 25
 Photos 2,216
 Triplogs 237

63 male
 Joined Apr 22 2012
 Fountain Hills,
Wash Day - MMRP, AZ 
Wash Day - MMRP, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Feb 23 2018
KBKBTriplogs 237
Hiking10.15 Miles 758 AEG
Hiking10.15 Miles   4 Hrs   16 Mns   2.78 mph
758 ft AEG      37 Mns Break20 LBS Pack
 no routes
Another "wash" day in McDowell Mountain Regional Park...

Starting from the Four Peaks / Horse Staging Area, we hiked across the road and then hiked the wrong way for a time on the Long Loop. (Be careful when hiking the competitive tracks as bikes travel these trails at high speeds and may not expect to encounter a hiker. It was a chilly morning so I was fairly certain that we wouldn't see a cyclist.)

We turned into the wash near the sign for the "Picnic Tank" and followed it westward. It crossed the Long Loop again in between "Cadiente's Corner" and "The Step". We continued up the wash, but the wash soon narrowed down and became more vegetated forcing us back onto the Long Loop. We hiked the Long Loop (again the wrong way) for a time and then turned westward into a wash just south of "Gate Crossing". Having seen this wash from the road above a number of times, I had always wanted to hike it; I actually did hike a bit of it last summer, but was able to see and appreciate more of it this time.

We eventually came to Pemberton where we again hiked a short ways and found another wash to hike. This one was one of the Stoneman Wash feeder washes. We eventually found ourselves in yet another wash and worked our way back to the Pemberton Trail where we took another feeder wash back to Stoneman Wash. From there, we took a service road and the latter part of the Sport Loop back.

The highlight of the hike were the long eared owls that we saw while hiking in one of the deeper and narrower arroyos in the park. It turned out that there were six owls in the tree, although we could only make out four just prior to them taking flight. We saw several of these owls again and again as we worked our way down the wash. My photo of these owls in the tree shows three of them fairly clearly. I know where the fourth one is, but it's hard to find. I found some pixels that might be the fifth owl, but it's hard to be sure. I have no idea where the sixth owl was hiding.
_____________________
 
average hiking speed 2.83 mph
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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